Malay extremist groups wary of 1Malaysia model

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 - Worries about an impending “overly liberal” NewEconomic Model has prompted nearly 80 Malay groups to form the MalayConsultative Council (MPM) to push the government to maintainaffirmative action for the country’s dominant race.

A Malay leader revealed that the MPM wants the Umno-led BarisanNasional government to maintain a “guided” New Economic Policy (NEP)that protects the Malays and Bumiputras, saying the community wasworried about moves to abolish subsidies and other forms of aid.

“We don’t want an economic model that is overly free or overlyliberal... we want a model that can lead the interests of the Malays,”the leader told The Malaysian Insider on condition of anonymity afterattending the MPM launch in the Sultan Sulaiman Club yesterday.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the MPM is disappointed withthe government for not having comprehensive discussions with Malaygroups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the NewEconomic Model (NEM), to be launched next month in line with PrimeMinister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia concept and globaleconomic trends.

There were also several Malay NGO leaders who felt the currentproblems are due to a weak government that was meeting the demands ofother races in the economic sector. Najib had freed 27 economic sub-sectors from mandatory Bumiputra participation last year and alsoreduced quotas for Bumiputra equity in initial public share offers.

The MPM felt that Malay political leaders themselves are sideliningMalay interests, the leader said without identifying thesepoliticians.

It is understood that while MPM was formed to defend and protect Malayrights and Islam, it will initially focus on the economy.

The MPM will organise a round-table conference for its members on Mar7 to discuss the future economic direction of the Malays and anintroduction to the NEM which Najib had promised would lead to higherincome based on innovation and creativity.

“Yesterday’s meeting was focused on protecting Malay interest in theeconomy, we don’t want the Malays to continue being sidelined by openeconomic policies.

“To ensure that the NEM has affirmative approaches to help the Malaysand Bumiputras because we hear this element is missing in the newmodel ... this was the emphasis by the NGOs supporting the MPM,” headded.

The leader said a majority of NGOs in the MPM had disclosed thatMalays and Bumiputras feel their position was threatened as thecountry’s economy is still being controlled by minority groups.

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali yesterday said MPM’s role is toprotect and be the frontline against quarters that continuously try toundermine the rights, privileges and economy of the Malays, positionof Islam and Malay Rulers in the country.

He said the MPM will play its role as a pressure group to thegovernment to ensure it does not stray from the core principles in theFederal Constitution, particularly Article 153 that protects theMalays.

Earlier this month when opening the 1 Malaysia Economic Conference,the prime minister had asked local industries to accept changes thatare occurring without expecting much protection from the government.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is battling to reduce deficitsand steer the economy out of the recession.

He announced last week that the country’s economy grew 4.5 per cent inthe fourth quarter of 2009 with overall growth shrinking 1.7 per centagainst earlier gloomier estimates of 3 per cent.

However, the Najib administration is also battling to keep the economyafloat as foreign direct investments continue to fall.

International Trade and Industry deputy minister Datuk MukhrizMahathir promised last week that the NEM would make appropriateconcessions for the Bumiputras in line with previous policies,including the NEP.

He admitted to have received visits from NGOs representing variousindustries and sectors who had expressed worry that the NEM would betoo open and reduce opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs andbusinessmen.

Mukhriz said that the government would give the appropriateconsideration for all quarters in its policies.